How to delete deleted messages in WhatsApp on Android - briefly?
Unfortunately, once a message is deleted in WhatsApp, it cannot be recovered using the standard app features. For this reason, it's crucial to ensure regular backups of your chats to prevent loss of important information.
How to delete deleted messages in WhatsApp on Android - in detail?
To delete deleted messages in WhatsApp on an Android device, users have a few methods at their disposal. However, it's important to note that once a message is deleted by the sender or after the 24-hour window for the recipient to view it expires, recovering those messages can be challenging without third-party applications. Here are some detailed steps on how to achieve this:
Method 1: Using WhatsApp Backup
WhatsApp automatically backs up chats and media to Google Drive if enabled. This backup includes deleted messages until the next backup overwrites it.
- Uninstall WhatsApp: Go to your device's Settings, then Apps & notifications, find WhatsApp, and tap Uninstall.
- Reinstall WhatsApp: Download and install WhatsApp from the Google Play Store.
- Restore from Backup: During the setup process, WhatsApp will prompt you to restore chats and media from the backup. Tap Restore to recover your deleted messages along with other chat data.
Method 2: Using Third-Party Applications
Several third-party applications claim to recover deleted WhatsApp messages. One of the most reliable options is Dr.Fone - WhatsApp Transfer.
- Download and Install: Download Dr.Fone from the official website and install it on your computer.
- Connect Your Device: Use a USB cable to connect your Android device to the computer. Ensure that USB debugging is enabled on your phone.
- Scan for Deleted Messages: Open Dr.Fone, select "Recover" from the menu, and then choose "WhatsApp & Attachments". Click "Start Scan".
- Preview and Recover: After scanning, you can preview the deleted messages. Select the messages you want to recover and click "Restore to Device" or "Restore to PC" depending on your preference.
Method 3: Using Local Backup
If you have enabled local backups in WhatsApp, you might be able to restore deleted messages from these backups.
- Open File Manager: Use a file manager app on your Android device to navigate to the WhatsApp folder. The path is usually
/sdcard/WhatsApp/Databases. - Find Backup Files: Look for files named
msgstore.db.cryptXXwhere XX is a number representing the date and time of the backup. - Rename the File: Rename the backup file to
msgstore.db.crypt12. This tells WhatsApp to use this backup file during restoration. - Uninstall and Reinstall WhatsApp: Follow the steps mentioned in Method 1 to uninstall and reinstall WhatsApp, then restore from the local backup.
Important Considerations
- Backup Frequency: The success of these methods largely depends on how frequently you back up your chats. Regularly backing up your messages increases the chances of recovering deleted ones.
- Third-Party Apps: Be cautious when using third-party applications to avoid potential security risks and data breaches.
- Data Privacy: Ensure that any backup or recovery process complies with data privacy regulations and does not infringe on the rights of other users in the chat.
By following these detailed steps, you can increase your chances of recovering deleted WhatsApp messages on an Android device.